Round 16 SANFL U18 Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

Sturt staved off a desperate Woodville-West Torrens to chalk up a thrilling one-point win at Thebarton Oval in Round 16 of the SANFL U18s.

Leading at every change, the Double Blues managed to hold off their rivals by keeping them scoreless after Eagle Jack Mumford kicked truly in the 13th minute of the fourth quarter.

Sturt’s mobile talls Blake Thredgold (16 disposals, six marks) and Alex Dodson (32 disposals, 10 clearances) dominated in the air and around the ground as Felix Katsaros also assisted with 20 disposals and seven tackles.

Eagles captain Harry Dodd racked up 35 disposals and two goals to lead with authority while intercept defender Tate Delmenico (27 disposals, 10 marks) and Owen Hartley-Brown (28 disposals, 14 marks) did their best to control the air.

A stunning display from West Adelaide’s Ayden Hodgson was a major catalyst behind his team’s comfortable 47-point win against South Adelaide at Hisense Stadium.

Helping his team burst out of the blocks with a 9.7 to 2.2 first half, Hodgson chalked up impressive numbers of 39 disposals, six clearances, five tackles and three goals as he caused headaches in the Panthers’ coaching box.

Bloods Will Ashton and Lucas White (19 disposals, three goals) were also pivotal in helping their side earn a commanding 44-26 advantage in inside 50 entries.

South’s athletic defender Elliott Duffield did his best to stem the flow with 21 disposals and eight marks while Jay Chapman (19 disposals) and Ryan Borlace were also praised for their efforts.

Central District booted six goals in succession to run over the top of North Adelaide by 42 points at Prospect Oval.

Seemingly having victory in their sights, the Roosters came within two points when classy goalsneak Evan Bradley kicked a goal 57 seconds into the fourth quarter.

But this triggered an onslaught from the Bulldogs as they banged on the next six majors in a row to underline their potency as Dyson Sharp (27 disposals, two goals), Charlie Nicholls (16 disposals, three goals) and Lachlan Giles shone for the visitors.

North skipper Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier recorded 19 disposals and a goal as teammates Henry Turner and Hunter Press lent valuable support.

Glenelg kept Norwood without a goal for more than three quarters as it romped to a percentage-boosting 94-point win at The Parade.

Sitting a game clear at the top of the table, the Tigers were simply too good across the park as the Redlegs could only manage two behinds up until three quarter-time.

The Bays’ Kobe Gibson was a class above with 23 disposals, nine marks and five clearances to go with his four majors while Oliver Betterman (27 disposals, seven clearances) and Kallan Bevan (23 disposals, six clearances) found plenty of the Sherrin.

On a tough day at the office, Norwood’s Darcy Speyer (22 disposals), Harry Brock (17 disposals, six marks) and Joel Flower could hold their heads high.